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£75,000 investment for new Greenways announced

Three local Councils are to receive funding of £25,000 each from the Department of Infrastructure to develop Greenway projects in their area.

The funding provided under Stage 3 of the Small Grants Programme for Greenways will allow the successful Councils to develop detailed designs and fully worked up project proposals ready for construction in the future.

The grants will be used to develop the following schemes:

Ards and North Down Borough Council - Comber to Newtownards Greenway;

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council - Greenisland Greenway; and

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council – Carryduff Greenway

Andrew Grieve, Department for Infrastructure said: “Encouraging greater use of active travel is a Programme for Government aspiration and the development of greenways has an important role to play in achieving this. They are a key part of our infrastructure as they provide safe and easy access to fresh air and exercise by encouraging more people to walk or cycle on their everyday journeys on a traffic free route.

“Last year the Department launched ‘Exercise – Explore – Enjoy: a Strategic Plan for Greenways’ which sets out an ambition for the creation of a 1,000km network across Northern Ireland. This funding will help provide support to the three Councils to develop greenway networks that align with that plan. We look forward to working with them to bring their projects to fruition.”

Continuing Andrew Grieve said: “In addition to the grants announced today, the Department is also developing a Capital Grants Funding programme to assist with the cost of constructing greenway schemes. All Councils are therefore encouraged to continue the good work they have been doing in this area as the Programme, when available, will be open to schemes with detailed designs and project bids.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Small Grants Programme is a three stage competition. Under Stage 1 Councils were invited to submit Expressions of Interest. In Stage 2 grants were provided to successful councils to develop concept design options through a feasibility study for their proposed greenway schemes. In Stage 3 the highest quality feasibility studies were selected to each receive £25,000 to develop a full business case and detailed design for their proposal.

2. The successful schemes are:

Comber to Newtownards Greenway - the proposal would provide an extension to the Comber Greenway through Comber town centre and on to Longlands area and by a route yet to be finally decided into Newtownards. The total length is estimated at 12km and is a Primary route on the DfI proposed Greenway Network.

Greenisland Greenway - The Greenway at Greenisland provides an opportunity to link two communities and involves creating a 2.7km traffic-free path between Monkstown and Greenisland (utilising the ‘Back Line’ railway). Located as it is within an urban area surrounded by housing and linked to public transport, the Greenisland Greenway has the potential to deliver significant modal shift while at the same time providing a wonderful open space for local communities.

Carryduff Greenway - The proposed greenway starts in Carryduff and travels northwards to Cairnshill park & ride, where it has the potential to link with other routes giving access to local and regional parks or further sustainable transport routes. Although a relatively short greenway project, the potential for connectivity is great, due to the densely populated residential areas surrounding it at either end.

3. Media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press office on 028 9054 0007. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.